Planned Giving

Bequests and Planned Gifts: Honor What Matters Most

What your will means to youHaving a will can bring peace of mind to you and certainty to your loved ones. It may also be your most meaningful opportunity to establish a legacy for the organizations whose work is closest to your heart. Creating a will is the single most important step you can take to ensure that your final wishes are carried out.

Why include United Way of the Greater Capital Region?Because of you, United Way of the Greater Capital Region is here for thousands of family members, friends, neighbors, and you. Together we can make sure that the building blocks for a strong community – basic needs, education, income and health – are supported now and in the future.

Am I too young to have a will?Wills are important for people of any age and can be updated whenever needed.

Can’t I just leave everything to my family?Why not have a will that reflects what matters most to you, including your family and the organizations you support?

How to include United Way of the Greater Capital Region in your willThere are different ways to name United Way of the Greater Capital Region in your will. Your attorney may wish to use the following language.

A SPECIFIC BEQUESTYou can establish a bequest of a particular dollar amount or asset:“I give, bequeath, and devise (dollar amount or description of gift) to United Way of the Greater Capital Region or its successor, now or formerly in the City of Albany, One United Way, in the State of New York, to be used for its general purposes.”

A RESIDUARY BEQUESTYou can give all or part of the property remaining in your estate after debts, expenses, and specific bequests are made:“I give, bequeath, and devise (all, or ___ percent of) the rest, residue, and remainder of the property, both real and personal, wherever situated, which I may own or be entitled to at my death, to United Way of the Greater Capital Region or its successor, now or formerly in the City of Albany, One United Way, in the State of New York, to be used for its general purposes.”

What's right for you?

That depends on your unique needs, goals, family situation, charitable interests, and assets. You can make your gift with cash, appreciated securities, retirement plans and IRAs. In many cases, your gift can return financial benefits to you. Call Jim Mulligan at 518.640.2412 or JMulligan@UnitedWayGCR.org for more information.

Why choose a bequest?

You may desire to support charity but are unable to make gifts during your lifetime. For example, you may have property that is needed during life to cover your living expenses or health care costs.

BEQUEST

A bequest is a gift made through your will or trust. A bequest is the simplest type of planned gift for you to make and one of the easiest to implement.

Why choose a charitable gift annuity?

You want to make a gift to our organization and receive fixed income for the future. This plan works well with your gift of cash or appreciated stock that is providing little or no income.

CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY

You make a gift of cash or property to us and we agree to make fixed payments for one or two lives.

Why choose a charitable remainder trust?

You own appreciated property that produces little to no income and would like to sell without paying capital gains tax. You may be desiring income for retirement.

CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST

You transfer your cash or property to fund a trust that makes payments for your lifetime or a number of years and then passes what remains to your chosen charity.

Why choose a life estate reserved?

You want to remain living in your home and desire a current income tax deduction.

LIFE ESTATE RESERVED

You transfer your personal residence or farm to us and retain the right to use the property for your lifetime.

Why choose a family lead trust?

You want to pass specific property to your family without paying a high gift estate tax.

FAMILY LEAD TRUST

You transfer your cash or property to a trust that makes payments to our organization for a number of years and then passes the trust property back to your family with no additional tax.